Loss of lean body mass is common in chronic renal failure and may adversely affect
morbidity and mortality of patients. The pathogenesis of protein wasting in chronic renal
failure is multifactorial and is reviewed by the authors. When protein kinetics are determined
in patients with uncomplicated uremic on conservative treatment by isotopically labeled
amino acids, the results indicate that the rates of both protein synthesis and degradation are
decreased both at whole body and skeletal muscle levels. On the other hand, if a …